Great teams have simple clarity - but it's not easy to get there. Take some time to systematically process these five points with your top leaders, and then pass it on down the line of command.
Talking Points:
- Mission answers the question, “Why do we exist?” As leaders, we need to be clear about our main job. What is our real goal? Try to articulate it in a sentence or two.
- Vision answers the question, “Where are we going?” What do you envision for your team this year or three, five, or ten years down the road? Your vision is your picture of a perfect future.
- Strategy answers the question, “How will we get there?” Strategic objectives are big-ticket items that can be broken down into smaller, actionable items.
- Values answer the question, “What do we care about?” What are the values that you want to transfer to your team? Your team members won’t know them automatically, so why not tell them?
- Culture answers the question, “How do we actually do things?” Your culture is about the real-life habits on your team. If a stranger were to observe you, what would he see?
Discussion:
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Of the five points above, which element is your strongest as a team? Which element is the most undefined?
- Who is failing to buy in to your team values? Share the impact of this on the team overall.
- Who is failing to buy in to your mission or vision? What do you see behaviorally to prove this?
- How do you give feedback to your team?
- You measure what matters. How do you currently measure your stated strategic objectives for the team?
- How do you celebrate those wins as a team? How can improving in this area help the overall culture of your team?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
